- Kustanair -

The Kustanair is a relatively young
breed. It was developed at the state farms and studs in the Kazakhstan
region of the former U.S.S.R. The breeding process of the Kustanair
was very deliberate. They were bred to form two distinct types,
each being treated in a different manner. The breed developed mainly
at three state studs, at Kustanai, Turgai, and Orenburg, which were
formally established in 1888, 1887, and 1890, respectively. However,
it was the Kustanai Stud that had the earliest and best results,
and can be credited with establishing the bred, which was officially
recognized in 1951.

The basic foundations for the Kustanair
were laid by taking the native steppe horses and crossing them with
a Don, Kazakh, and Strelets (which is now extinct), Thoroughbred,
and half-bred blood. Early crosses were fairly unsuccessful, but
by using improved native mares, and further infusions of Thoroughbred
blood, the fixed characteristics of the Kustanair started to emerge.
The breed was not selectively bred into different types until the
1920s, when two groups of Kustanair were taken and raised under
different conditions. The first group was stabled, corn fed, and
selectively bred, while the second =group were kept at pasture all
year round and allowed to breed freely. The results were the formation
of a distinct saddle horse type, suitable for all riding purposes,
and with greater quality and presence, while the second developed
into horses suitable for both saddle and harness work- a tougher,
hardier, and less quality horse.

The toughness and hardiness of the two
types of Kustanair is relative because both types are indeed extremely
tough, as are many of the Russian breeds. Typically they have great
stamina and endurance, combined with a calm, quiet, and energetic
disposition. This in turn makes them highly versatile saddle or
harness horses. They are also for the most part attractive and quality
animals, some appearing to have more Thoroughbred aspects than others.

In appearance, they have a fine, light
head set on a long, muscular neck that is often set quite low. The
withers are often prominent, the shoulders sloping, the back straight
and wide, and the croup sloping. They are deep and broad through
the chest and have long, muscular legs. Their legs have good joints
and hard hooves. The Kustanair varies from chestnut, gray, bay,
brown, black, or roan in color, and they stand between 15 and 15.2
hands high.